History of the Rogue River National Forest Volume 1 — 1893-1932

1905

The use of the forest and range lands, which was increasing each year, brought on many technical and complex problems. Scientific methods and a technically trained force were necessary to meet those increasing problems. The General Land Office sought and counseled with the officials in the Bureau of Forestry in the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This was found necessary, but under the law could not be imperfectly utilized. The necessity of consolidating the various branches of government forest work became apparent and was urged upon Congress by the President and all the executive officers concerned. Finally, the Act of February 1, 1905 (33 Stat. 628) transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture entire jurisdiction over the forest reserves, except in matters of surveying and passage of title.

The regulations and instructions for the forest reserves are based on this latter Act, called "The Transfer Act," and the following general policy laid down for the Forest Service by the Secretary of Agriculture in his letter to the Forester (Gifford Pinchot) dated Feb. 1, 1905.

"In the administration of the forest reserves it must be clearly borne in mind that all land is to be devoted to its most productive use for the permanent goal of the whole people, and not for the temporary benefit of individuals or companies. All the resources of forest reserves are for use, and this use must be brought about in a thoroughly prompt and business-like manner, under such restrictions only as will insure the permanence of these resources. The vital importance of forest reserves to the great industries of the Western States will be largely increased in the near future by the continued steady advance in settlement and development. The permanence of the resources of the reserves is therefore indispensable to continued prosperity, and the policy of this Department for their protection and use will invariably be guided by this fact, always bearing in mind that the conservative use of these resources in no way conflicts with their permanent value.

"You will see to it that the water, wood and forage of the reserves are conserved and wisely used for the benefit of the home builder first of all, upon whom depends the best permanent use of lands and resources alike. The continued prosperity of the agricultural, lumbering, mining and livestock interests is directly dependent upon a permanent and accessible supply of water, wood, and forage, as well as upon the present and future use of these resources under businesslike regulations, enforced with promptness, effectiveness and common sense. In the management of each reserve local questions will be decided upon local grounds; the dominant industry will he considered first, but with as little restriction to minor industries as may be possible; sudden changes in industrial conditions will be avoided by gradual adjustment after due notice, and where conflicting interests must be reconciled the question will always be decided from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run."

(The Use Book — 1908)

The change in administration was made almost at once. The reserve officers were under Civil Service appointment by order of President Theodore Roosevelt of December 17, 1904. (See above.)

One more change took place. The term "Bureau of Forestry" disappeared from the Agricultural Appropriation Bill in 1905 and "Forest Service" took its place.

(Breaking New Ground — Gifford Pinchot)

The Cascade Forest Reserve (South) and the Ashland Forest Reserve were still under the administration of Smith C. Bartrum, Forest Supervisor, Roseburg. A. E. Cohoon was Forest Assistant at Marmot and Addison S. Ireland was Forest Ranger at Marmot. Samuel S. Swenning, Silas L. McKee, and Sim E. Browder, assistant rangers, were restored to the rolls in May on the Cascade Forest Reserve (South).

(Field Program of August 1905)

One of the major uses on the Cascade Range Forest Reserve (South) was applied for on May 11, 1905. The Fish Lake Water Company applied for a storage reservoir at Four Mile and Fish lakes, with a connecting canal 18 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and 11.36 miles in length. This application was made to the General Land Office, Roseburg, Oregon, under the Act of March 3, 1891 (30 Stat. 404).

The first timber sale of record was made on March 6, 1905 to D. M. Griffith of Odessa. It was made for a total of 200,000 board feet at a stumpage price of $1.00 per thousand board feet, and 100 cords of wood at 40¢ per cord or a total value of $240.00. (See news item of May 1, 1905, following page.)

The following news items were extracted from the "Ashland Tidings" to give an added insight to the work on the Cascade Range Forest Reserve:

Mar. 13, 1905:

FOREST RANGERS TO GO ON DUTY

"The government forest rangers for the Southern District of Oregon have been ordered to report for duty April 1. The work required of them at this season will consist of the surveying of the boundary line of the reserve, and work will first be done on the West Boundary, commencing near Fish Lake and running northward."

April 3, 1905 (Mon.):

"A. S. Ireland, Henry Ireland, Silas McKee, Samuel Swenning, and Will Nichols, comprising the force of Federal Forest Rangers this season in the Southern District of the Cascade Reserve, began work for the season Saturday. Their first work will be a survey of the west boundary of the reserve from Fish Lake northward."

May 1, 1905 (Mon.):

FOREST RESERVE WEEK

"S. C. Bartrum, Forest Reserve Supervisor, was in Ashland Saturday, having just returned from a trip of inspection across the Cascade Reserve via Fish Lake to Klamath County. A number of the rangers have been on duty since April 1 and the remainder have been ordered out to begin active duty today. The work of running out the lines and marking the western boundary of the reserve in Jackson County has been nearly completed by the rangers the past month.

"Mr. Bartrum spent a little time on official business at Odessa on Klamath Lake, looking after the sale of a lot of mature timber on the reserve tributary to the new Griffith saw mill which is being operated by Mr. Stanley, recently from California, who is preparing for an active campaign with the mill whose product is rafted to Klamath Falls to market.

"Mr. Bartrum says a Civil Service examination will be held shortly for applicants for positions in the Forest Ranger Service to fill several vacancies in his district. The positions are all under Civil Service rules since the order of the President was made several months ago."

May 15, 1905:

QUALIFICATION FOR RANGER SERVICE

"Supervisor Bartrum, when in Ashland recently, said that a civil service examination would be held soon to fill a number of vacancies in the forest ranger service in his district, all permanent appointments in the forestry service now being under the civil service regulations. Anyone contemplating running the gauntlet of the examination will be interested in a recent circular issued by Forester Gifford Pinchot in which it is announced:

"'Rangers must be able-bodied men capable of performing hard work. Invalids seeking out-of-door employment need not apply. Applicants for ranger appointments must be able to build trails and cabins; must know something of surveying, estimating and scaling timber, lumbering and the livestock business. On some reserves the ranger must be a specialist in some of these lines. All must be personally familiar with the region in which they seek employment.

"'The examination of applicants is along practical lines, and actual demonstration by performance is required. Experience, not book education, is sought, although ability to make simple maps and write intelligent reports upon ordinary reserve business is essential. Although initial appointment is usually to the lowest grade, in cases of merit service there in may be for a probationary period only. Promotions will be made only as vacancies occur. Forest rangers will be required to devote their entire time to their public service and will not be permitted to engage in any other employment or occupation. Their duties include patrol to prevent fire and trespass, estimating, surveying and marking timber, and the supervision of cuttings. They issue minor permits, build cabins and trains, enforce grazing restrictions, investigate and arrest for violations of reserve laws. They are under the immediate direction of forest supervisors.'"

June 15, 1905:

EXAMINATION FOR FOREST RANGERS

"The United States Civil Service Commission will hold an examination on the duties and at the places within the state of Oregon, named below, to secure eligibles from which to make certification to fill vacancies as they may occur in the position of Forest Ranger in the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture.

"Baker City, Oregon, July 24, 25, 26, 1905; Prineville, Oregon, August 1, 2, 3, 1905; Hood River, Oregon, August 9, 10, 11, 1905; Detroit, Oregon, August 16, 17, 18, 1905; Grants Pass, Oregon, August 23, 24, 25, 1905; Lakeview, Oregon, August 31, September 1, 2, 1905.

"The examination will consist in announcing practical questions in writing and in a field examination to test the ability of the applicants to actually perform the duties of a forest ranger. In the field examination applicants, among other things, will be required to shoot at a target with a rifle and pistol, and should bring with them these arms for the test.

"The age limits will be, from 21 to 40 years on the date of the examination. This examination is open to all citizens of the United States who comply with the requirements.

"Applicants should at once apply to the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C. for application form 1093 — Amended.

"No application will be accepted unless properly executed and filed, in complete form, with the commissioner in Washington.

"In applying for this examination the exact title of 'Forest Ranger' should be used in the application.

"For further information apply to the Forest Supervisor, Roseburg, Oregon."

S. C. Bartrum, Forest Supervisor

July 3, 1905:

A TECHNICAL FOREST ASSISTANT

"There has been added to the Southern Division of the Cascade Range and Ashland Forest Reserve, under the supervision of S. C. Bartrum, Forest Supervisor, a department of technical forestry; and Mr. A. E. Cohoon of Washington, D. C., Forest Assistant has been added to Mr. Bartrum's forestry force and will assist in the technical and scientific work of these important reserves."

(Cohoon was a student assistant with the Bureau of Forestry in 1900. He started work on May 1 with W. H. B. Kent, also a student assistant, and 9 others; and worked for Edward M. Griffith, also of the Bureau. They prepared a working plan for the Black Fills Forest Reserve in South Dakota.)

(Page 175, Breaking New Ground — Gifford Pinchot)

Sept. 16, 1905:

"A. E. Cohoon was with Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke several days estimating timber in the Ashland Reserve."

Nov. 13, 1905:

"The three forest rangers, Bill Nichols, Silas McKee, and Henry Ireland, stationed at Pelican Bay are fixing up the old Casson Cabin and fencing about 500 acres of pasture, preparatory to staying there for the winter."

Nov. 6, 1905:

PROBABLE SALE OF GOVERNMENT TIMBER

"Forest Supervisor S. C. Bartrum arrived in Ashland Friday morning on an inspection trip looking especially to the cutting and timber sales and the fire break which is being cut out on the reserve line of the Ashland Butte Reserve. The fire break as far as cut out is regarded as a complete success. Mr. Bartrum is also in negotiation with some parties here who have made application for the purchase of several million feet of timber. Proposals are likely to be issued for bids for the sale of that amount. An applicant to buy timber on the Government reserves deposits $50 for the expense of advertising proposals for bids which runs 30 days and then, upon the approval of the forest supervisor, sale is effected by the department to the highest bidder. No bids below a stipulated price are accepted. There is no limit to the sales of timber by the Government, except the boundary lines of the reserves. Uncle Sam has lots of timber for sale. Enough is always reserved, however, in the areas cut to conserve the water supply.

"Mr. Bartrum has surveyed a trail to be cut out from McAllister Springs to Fish Lake, where it will connect with a broad, well made trail already completed to Klamath Lake."

(click on image for a PDF version)

1906

Following are additional items which appeared in the "Ashland Tidings":

Feb. 19, 1906:

GRAZING IN THE FOREST RESERVE

"Stockmen who expect to graze their stock in the Cascade Range Forest Reserve (Southern Division) during the season of 1906, must submit their applications to me before March 10, 1906, as after that date applications will be refused unless satisfactory reasons are given.

S. C. BARTRUM
Forest Supervisor
Roseburg, Oregon"

April 30, 1906:

ASHLAND FOREST RESERVE ENLARGED

More Territory Added to Federal Reserve to Protect the Watershed of Ashland Creek

"The summit of Ashland Butte is now included within the boundaries of the Ashland Forest Reserve. For some time past efforts have been made to get a small strip of land which takes in the very summit of Ashland's snow-capped peak included within the federal reserve for the further protection of the watershed of Ashland Creek. The red tape in the procedure has been long drawn out but the Oregonian's correspondent reports final action at Washington as follows:

"The Ashland Forest Reserve in Oregon has been slightly enlarged for the purpose of including more fully the watershed of Ashland Creek, which is the source of water supply for the City of Ashland and a large territory of agricultural land in that vicinity. A narrow strip of country which has been added consists of a tract lying along the summit of a spur of the Siskiyou mountains, which has the average elevation of 7,200 feet and culminates in one of the most prominent landmarks in Southern Oregon.

"Siskiyou Peak is a tract unfit for cultivation and has no settlement on it. As it forms the watershed of various tributaries of Ashland Creek, it is important to insure proper protection to the forest and prevent the streams being contaminated in any way."'

Following is a copy of the Proclamation enlarging the Ashland Reserve:

ASHLAND FOREST RESERVE

Oregon
(Second Proclamation)

By the President of the United States of America,

A PROCLAMATION.

----

Whereas, the Ashland Forest Reserve, in the State of Oregon, was established by proclamation dated September 28, 1893:

And whereas, it is provided by the Act of Congress approved June fourth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, entitled "An Act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, and for other purposes," that "The President is hereby authorized at any time to modify any executive order that has been or may hereafter be made establishing any forest reserve, and by such modification may reduce the area or change the boundary lines of such reserve, or may vacate altogether any order creating such reserve";

And whereas, it appears that the public good would be promoted by adding to the said forest reserve certain lands, within the State of Oregon, which are in part covered with timber,

Now, therefore, I Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power in me vested by the aforesaid act of Congress, approved June fourth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, do proclaim that the aforesaid Ashland Forest Reserve is hereby enlarged to include the said additional lands, and that the boundaries of the reserve are, accordingly, now as shown on the diagram forming a part hereof;

Excepting from the force and effect of this proclamation all lands which may have been prior to the late hereof, embraced in any legal entry or covered by any lawful filing duly of record in the proper United States Land Office, or upon which any valid settlement has been made pursuant to law, and the statutory period within which to make entry or filing of record has not expired: Provided, that this exception shall not continue to apply to any particular tract of land unless the entryman, settler, or claimant continues to comply with the law under which the entry, filing, or settlement was made.

Warning is hereby expressly given to all persons not to make settlement upon the lands reserved by this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six, and of the Independence of the United States, the one hundred and thirtieth..

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

By the President:
Elihu Poet
Secretary of State

May 7, 1906:

EXAMINATIONS FOR FORESTRY SERVICE
Roseburg, Oregon, May 3, 1906

"Editor Tidings:

"Will you permit me space in your paper to say for the benefit of those who are expecting to take the Civil Service examination, for the position of Forest Ranger, to be held at Roseburg, Oregon, May 14, 1906, that owing to the fact that the date of examination is close at hand, they will immediately file their applications with me, if they have not already filed with the Commission at Washington, D. C. Application blanks can be secured by applying to this office. The examination will be along practical lines, relating to the various duties required of forest rangers. Any man who would like this class of work, that is between the age of 21 and 40 years, with a strong healthy body, need not hesitate to take this examination.

S. C. BARTRUM
Forest Supervisor

May 17, 1906:

WOULD RANGE THE FEDERAL FOREST

"Thirteen persons took the examination for government forest ranger, held at Roseburg Monday, under the direction of Supervisor S. C. Bartrum.

"The papers of every applicant will be forwarded to the Agricultural Department at Washington for marking. Each applicant will be notified of his standing by the Department just as soon as his papers are marked. No intimation is given as to the number of positions open. Following are the names of the applicants:

"J. M. Lambe, M. L. Norris and J. E. Noah, Dillard; T. J. Hart, Lake Creek; F. Graham, Brownsboro; W. E. Neff, Perdue; Dennis Mathews, J. D. Cochran, Roseburg; F. L. Earhart, G. W. Parker, Medford; Asher Ireland, Olalla; F. Pringle, Elkhead; I. A. Dean, Riddle."

June 14, 1906:

"Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke, who has charge of the Ashland reserve, has been busily engaged for some time past in clearing up wagon ruts and trails in the reserve of their winter accumulation of fallen timber, etc. The Ashland canyon road through the reserve is now open to Long's Cabin and the trail leading from there to the summit of Ashland Butte is open to the snow line."

June 25, 1906:

"An announcement was made of the death of Mrs. S. C. Bartrum on June 21."

In July Divisions in the Washington office were established as follows:

Forest Management — Thos. E. Sherrard, Ass't. Forester, in charge.

Dendrology — George B. Sudsworth, Ass't. Forester, in charge.

Forest Extension — Ernest A. Sterling, Ass't. Forester, in charge.

Forest Products — Wm. L. Fall, Ass't. Forester, in charge.

Publication & Education — Herbert A. Smith, Editor, in charge.

Records — James B. Adams, Special Fiscal Agent, in charge.

Grazing — A. F. Potter, Inspector of Grazing, in charge.

Reserve Organization — Coert DuBois, Forest Inspector, in charge.

Three Districts were formed in October to follow the policy of decentralization which was advocated by Gifford Pinchot, the Forester. These were:

Northern District — W. T. Cox, Forest Inspector, in charge. (Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming)

Southern District — J. H. Hatton, Forest Inspector, in charge. (Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah)

Western District — T. S. Woolsey, Jr., Forest Inspector, in charge. (Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington)

In November 1906, K. W. Woodward, Forest Inspector, was in charge of the Western District.

During 1906 R. F. Hammatt, Forest Assistant, examined and reported on the application of the Fish Lake Water Co. for storage reservoirs and a canal (see item for 1905). Supervisor Bartrum's recommendations to the Forester in his letter of January 18, 1906, concerning this facility, were as follows:

"5. The amount of timber as estimated on tract is approximately 32,564 feet B.M. per acre, or a total of 4,396,140 feet B.M., 50 per cent of which is unsound and of no commercial value, leaving a total stand of merchantable timber of 2,198,140 B.M., and could not be valued at this time over 40 cents per thousand feet B.M. owing to its inaccessibleness from market and transportation.

"10. The object of this enterprise is to principally cover some 15,000 acres of desert land lying north of Medford, which is unproductive without the use of water; also to irrigate lands in the most productive part of Rogue River Valley, on which it has been thoroughly demonstrated that the use of water will double the yield."

The second timber sale of record was issued on February 23, 1906, to Klamath Lake Mill and Lumber Company, Klamath Falls, Oregon. It included a total of 500,000 board feet at a stumpage price of $1.00 per thousand board feet. The sale was closed October 26, 1906.

In June, 1906, Wm. C. Neff, Guy W. Parker, Martin S. Durbin, and Frank Learhart were appointed assistant forest rangers at $900 per year on the Cascade Range Forest Reserve (South). J. D. Cochran and George E. Bonebrake were appointed forest guards at $720 per year in July, on the same reserve. R. F. Hammatt was appointed as forest assistant at $1,000 per year in July.

In the fall of 1906 a change was made in the administration of the Ashland Forest Reserve. The Siskiyou Forest Reserve in Coos, Curry, and Josephine Counties, was established by Proclamation of October 5. M. J. Anderson, Forest Ranger, from the Cascade Forest Reserve (North) arrived at Grants Pass in November to serve as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Siskiyou and Ashland Forest Reserves. He set up an office in the old Conklin Building in Grants Pass.

August 16, 1906:

RESERVE CLOSED TO CAMPING

"Deputy Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke, in charge of the Ashland Forest Reserve, received notice Tuesday to forbid until further notice, camping on the reserve, the department having been prompted to issue the order by the local authorities on the representation that campers polluted the waters of Ashland creek, the source of the city's domestic supply. Picnickers, mountain climbing parties and travelers will be allowed to camp overnight on the reserve under restrictions. The following is the official notice posted by Mr. Kropke under orders from the Supervisor:

NOTICE — For the protection of the water supply of the City of Ashland, the Forester of the U. S. Department of Agriculture has declared the Ashland Forest Reserve closed to camping and hunting, until further notice. All persons are hereby warned not to camp on the reserve lands. Travelers, mountain climbing parties and those whose business requires that they cross the Reserve will be allowed to camp for one night only, provided proper care is taken to prevent the pollution of streams and springs."

Sept. 24, 1906:

"S. C. Bartrum, superintendent of the forest reserve in Southern Oregon, in company with V. T. McCray, superintendent of the Fish Lake Ditch Co., has gone to the small lakes that are situated a short distance farther east, the waters of one of which that corporation wishes to appropriate for the irrigation of Rogue River Valley, in addition to that furnished by Fish Lake."

Nov. 15, 1906:

WILL EXPERIMENT IN ASHLAND RESERVE

Department Will Take Advantage of Conditions to Make Reforesting Experiments Here

"Forest Supervisor S. C. Bartrum who was in Ashland today, informs the Tidings that the department has authorized him to make experiments in reforestation in the Ashland reserve, which, if successful will be applied to the larger reserves of the country. It is planned to start a nursery for forest trees in the reserve, and also attempt the reforestation of burned areas in the reserve by clearing off the burns and sowing seeds of the trees indigenous to the country therein. The work is a new one undertaken by the forest department, and the Ashland reserve is selected for the experiments by reason of the favorable natural conditions that exist in it. The work of establishing the forest nursery into reforestation of the burned areas will be under the direct charge of Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke and the supervision of Mr. Bartrum."

Dec. 3, 1906:

FOREST OFFICIALS BEFORE COUNCIL

"Forest Supervisor S. C. Bartrum and Deputy Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke appeared before the city council of Ashland Saturday evening. Mr. Bartrum explained to the council that the Forest Service was constructing a fire break along the north and east boundary lines of the Ashland reserve for the protection against fire, which in the present condition of the cut over lands outside of the reserve, is a great menace to the reserve. The fire break, when completed, will greatly lessen this danger. Mr. Bartrum asked the council to grant the Forest Service permission to extend the fire break through the 80-acre tract owned by the city and within the reserve. The request was granted by resolution. Mr. Bartrum also suggested that the council extend to the Forest Service full policies and administrative control of the city lands for the better protection of the reserve against fire and to prevent the pollution of the water by violations of reserve regulations. Ashland creek flows through the city lands and as it now stands the Forest Service has no administrative control over these lands. This proposition was looked upon with favor by the council but no action was taken at this meeting further than to appoint a committee to determine the manner in which to extend the control to the government. The council agreed to make an examination of the fire break in the course of construction by the Forest Service."

1907

Following are additional news items from the "Ashland Tidings" of Ashland, Oregon:

Jan. 14, 1907:

WILL SOON SOW THE SEEDS

"Deputy Forest Ranger W. G. Kropke today received from the Forestry Department the first consignment of the seeds that will be used in the propagation of forest trees in the experimental nursery which the department has authorized in the Ashland Forest Reserve. It comprised three sacks of sugar pine seeds. The ground has already been selected and prepared for the seeds and they will be planted when the weather conditions become more propitious. A great variety of trees will be propagated at this experimental nursery, according to the plans of the department as they are understood here, and the young trees used in the reforestation work on other reserves, and in certain other instances where they are desired and the ground is prepared for them. For instance, it is understood that if a municipality of Ashland should prepare trenches along the Boulevard for the planting of trees and care for the trees, this experimental nursery can be drawn upon to furnish the stock."

Jan. 11, 1907:

GRAZING PERMITS FOR 1907

"Applications for permits to graze live stock on the Cascade Range (S) Forest Reserve for the season of 1907 must be filed in the office of the undersigned at Roseburg, Oregon, on or before March 15, 1907.

"The Secretary of Agriculture has authorized the grazing of 7000 head of cattle and horses, and 50,000 head of sheep and their increase. The periods during which grazing will be allowed and the first to be charged are as follows:

"Cattle and horses — June 15 to October 15, 1907, cattle, 30¢ per head; horses, 40¢ per head; except in divisions 7, 17, 18 and 21; those from June 1 to November 1, 1907, cattle 30¢ per head, horses 40¢ per head. Year long, ending December 31, 1907, cattle 50¢ per head, horses 50¢ per head.

"Sheep and goats — June 15 to October 15, 1907, 10¢ per head; 2¢ additional for ewes to lamb.

"Blank forms to be used in making application and further information in regard to grazing will be furnished upon request.

S. C. BARTRUM, Supervisor"

March 7, 1907:

"The U. S. Forest Service is now represented in Grants Pass by Mr. M. J. Anderson, Acting Supervisor, in connection with the administration of the newly created Siskiyou reserve in the southwestern part of the State. The large addition just made to the Ashland reserve, particulars of which, however, are not yet available, may call for this reserve, which is now administered from Roseburg by Supervisor Bartrum of the Cascade reserve."

March 18, 1907:

SISKIYOU FOREST RESERVE

"The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture has opened a permanent office in Grants Pass in connection with the Siskiyou Forest Reserve. It is in charge of Supervisor M. J. Anderson, whom a reporter of the Observer found to be a very willing giver of information on all matters connected with the reserve. Asked if it is true that very little good timber is included in the last addition, Mr. Anderson said:

"'A large part of the area recently placed in forest reserves in this State has been withdrawn from entry and thus protected from the timber speculators for some time, so the statement that no valuable timber lands are included in the late addition is absurd.'

"The question of whether large private owners adjoining reserves could interfere seriously with the handling of adjacent reserve timber was answered as follows:

"'There may be instances, as has been asserted, where Weyerhauser, or other heavy holders of timber land, have secured bodies of timber so located as to interfere, temporarily, with the handling of adjacent forest reserve timber; but with about five years experience in reserve field-work in Oregon, I have never known a single instance of the kind, and think the suggestion is based largely on imagination.'

"Concerning homestead claims within the reserves, which have caused some uneasiness to holders, Mr. Anderson said:

"'In regard to unperfected claims within the territory, the position is that all questions involving lands remains entirely within the jurisdiction of the Interior Department. It will be the endeavor of the Forest Service to protect all valid claims of every character. A valid claim is defined as one initiated in good faith under some Act of Congress, and continued by use consistent with the character of the claim and necessary for its actual development. An examination of unperfected claims will be made by the Forest Service upon advertisement of intention of making final proof for patent, and a report of findings made by the Secretary of the Interior. Timber claims without timber, made to hold mineral lands; mining claims without mineral, to hold timber; or homesteads without agricultural land, will hardly be considered as valid claims within forest reservations.'"

CASCADE RANGE FOREST RESERVE
OREGON
(THIRD PROCLAMATION)

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Cascade Range Forest Reserve, in the State of Oregon, was established by proclamation dated September twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and ninety-three, and the boundaries thereof have been subsequently changed to include additional lands in the State of Oregon, and also to exclude from the reserve certain lands in said State;

And whereas it appears that the public good would be promoted by further adding to the said forest reserve certain lands, in the State of Oregon, which are in part covered with timber;

Now, therefore, I, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power in me vested by the Act of Congress, approved June fourth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, entitled, "An Act Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, and for other purposes," do proclaim that the aforesaid Cascade Range Forest Reserve is hereby further enlarged to include the said additional lands, and that the boundaries of the reserve are now as shown on the diagram forming a part hereof;

Excepting from the force and effect of this proclamation all lands which are at this date embraced in any legal entry or covered by any lawful filing or selection duly of record in the proper United States Land Office, or upon which any valid settlement has been made pursuant to law, and the statutory period within which to make entry or filing of record has not expired; and also excepting all lands which at this date are embraced within any withdrawal or reservation for any use or purpose to which this reservation for forest uses is inconsistent: Provided, that these exceptions shall not continue to apply to any particular tract of land unless the entryman, settler, or claimant continues to comply with the law under which the entry, filing, or settlement was made, or unless the reservation or withdrawal to which this reservation is inconsistent continues in force; not excepting from the force and effect of this proclamation, however, any land within the boundary herein described, which has been withdrawn to protect the coal therein but this proclamation does not vacate any such coal land withdrawal; and provided that these exceptions shall not apply to any land embraced in any selection, entry or filing, which has been allowed or permitted to remain of record subject to the creation of a permanent reservation.

Warning is hereby given to all persons not to make settlement upon the lands reserved by this proclamation.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this 25th day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and thirty-first.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

By the President:
ELIHU ROOT
Secretary of State.

(click on image for a PDF version)

(click on image for a PDF version)

March 21, 1907:

ASHLAND NATIONAL FOREST

"The Agricultural appropriation bill passed by the recent Congress provided that the national forest reserves shall hereafter be known as the 'National Forests,' and circular from the forest department at Washington to subordinate officials make an announcement of the fact. The Ashland Forest Reserve will now be officially known as the 'Ashland National Forest.'"

March 25, 1907:

FORESTRY OFFICIALS HERE

"M. J. Anderson, acting supervisor of the new Siskiyou National Forest, in Josephine, Coos and Curry counties, is in Ashland today, and Supervisor Bartrum of the Cascade and Ashland reserves, is also here today to meet him for a conference over forestry matters. It has been rumored that jurisdiction over the Ashland National Forest had been transferred to the Siskiyou Reserve, the headquarters of which is at Grants Pass, but Mr. Anderson has had no advice to that effect. The Ashland National Forest being of different nature from either the Cascade or Siskiyou, and aimed to protect the watershed of Ashland Creek only, should be under supervision, independent of the others, it is argued by many."

March 28, 1907,

ATTACHED TO SISKIYOU RESERVE

"Supervisor S. C. Bartrum, of the Cascade National Forest, and Acting Supervisor M. J. Anderson, of the Siskiyou National Forest, returned north, Tuesday, after spending Monday in Ashland. Mr. Bartrum who has had general supervision over the Ashland Forest, acting under orders from Washington, will turn over the supervision of the same on the first of April to Mr. Anderson, whose headquarters are at Grants Pass. Ranger W. G. Kropke will continue in immediate charge of matters in the Ashland reserve and the only difference the change in supervision will make apparently is that the reports will go through Mr. Anderson instead of Mr. Bartrum. The Ashland reserve is looked upon as one of the model ones in the Northwest. The experimental firebreak which Ranger Kropke has been steadily extending around the reserve has received considerable favorable attention at the hands of department officials."

In February a plan for organizing smaller units was sent to all forest officers for recommendations, to give more compact administrative units. Purpose is to divide many of the larger reserves into smaller areas and detail an administrative officer to each unit with a view to giving the public more prompt and satisfactory service. Hereafter all officers not forest supervisors, in charge of reserves, will be designated Acting Forest Supervisors.

(Field Program - February, 1907)

By Act of March 4, 1907 (34 Stat. 1256), the name "Reserves" was changed to "National Forests." Thus the Cascade Forest Reserve (South) was called the Cascade (South) National Forest, Ashland Forest Reserve became Ashland National Forest, and the Siskiyou National Forest replaced the Siskiyou Forest Reserve.

With the establishment of additional national forests, greater decentralization was necessary. District officers were increased and numbered. The Western District was divided into two districts (5 and 6). District 6 included Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. C. H. Flory, Forest Assistant, was in charge of this district.

In May the Umpqua National Forest was carved from the Cascade (South) with Fred E. Ames as Acting Forest Supervisor, with headquarters at Eugene, Oregon.

The following order appeared in the May issue of Field Program:

"Officers in charge of more than one national forest are allowed to transfer their rangers and guards from one forest to another when the occasion demands, but the forester should be notified at once so that the salary of the man may be charged to the national forest on which he is actively working."

The following appointment actions were noted in the Field Program for 1907:

January — Samuel S. Swenning promoted to Deputy Forest Ranger.

February — M. L. Erickson, Acting Forest Supervisor, Goose Lake and Fremont National Forests, Lakeview.

March — S. S. Swenning promoted to Forest Ranger, Cascade (South) National Forest.

R. F. Hammatt, Forest Assistant, Cascade (South), transferred to Goose Lake and Fremont National Forests.

George E. Bonebrake, Assistant Forest Ranger, Goose Lake.

National Forest, transferred to Ashland National Forest. In May he transferred to Cascade (South) National Forest.

May — Ira Tungate and H. Vernon Anderson were appointed Forest Guards, Ashland National Forest. Anderson transferred to the Siskiyou National Forest in July, 1907.

June — Appointed Assistant Forest Rangers Martin S. Durbin, Cascade (South) to Umpqua, J. D. Cochran, Cascade (South) to Umpqua; appointed Forest Guards George H. West, Cascade (South), Stephen A. Moore, Cascade (South), J. Wesley Kelsoe, Cascade (South), Cyrus Bingham, Deputy Supervisor, Cascade (South). He was stationed at Roseburg until January, 1908, when he was transferred to the Malheur National Forest as Acting Forest Supervisor.

July — Samuel S. Swenning assigned as Forest Ranger to the Pelican Bay District headquarted at Odessa, Oregon, near Pelican Bay on Upper Klamath Lake. "He was a natural woodsman and his tenure as a forest ranger was short."

Quoting from a letter written by John D. Holst on April 3, 1951, to Janie V. Smith:

"I entered the Forest Service Oct. 1, 1907, as laborer and helped to construct the very first ranger cabin ever built on this Forest, a log construction at Big Elk Prairie; then the old lumber cabin at Seven Mile Ranger Station in November of the same year. There were four of us in the crew.

"Delbert Myers, who was in charge, and Fred Stanley, Samuel Dorran, and myself were helpers. We worked only the two months that year. As near as I can recall, Sylas McKee was on this Butte Falls District at that time and was probably the first ranger here."

An analysis of the diary of Stephen A. Moore for 1907 reveals the following:

Moore entered on duty May 15, reported to Little Elk Ranger Station and with Assistant Forest Ranger Silas McKee worked on trail maintenance. He mentions Inspector W. H. B. Kent from the District office, who inspected the trail construction work. He also mentions Ranger Swenning, Forest Guards D. W. Myers and G. C. Cottrell. On July 12 they moved their camp to Lake of the Woods, thence to Four Mile Lake. On July 23, 24 and 25 he took the ranger's examination at Roseburg. During July and August Moore patrolled the area around Blue Canyon, Rustler Peak, Tamarack, Bunker Hill. Part of the time he was accompanied by McKee and other times by Swenning.

Assistant Forest Ranger Nichols had a trail camp of ten laborers from August 20 to November 18. They built 31 miles of trail from the Cat Hill Trail on the Old Military Road northerly to the Red Blanket Wagon Road. After the fire season Moore and Forest Guard Tom Kinney, Rangers McKee and Swenning helped on the trail work. In October Moore attended the rangers' convention at Roseburg from the 18th to the 22nd inclusive. In November Moore worked with Ranger Swenning on June 11 on claims around Butte Falls. On December 4 he was furloughed for the winter.

The following order appeared in the Field Program for July, 1907:

"After careful consideration it has been decided that rangers who are called to the Supervisor's headquarters for any other purpose than to attend rangers' meeting must furnish their own subsistence."

In July, 1907, the headquarters of District 6 was located in Tacoma, Washington, George H. Cecil, Chief Inspector in charge. Martin L. Erickson was assistant inspector. He formerly served as Acting Forest Supervisor of the Fremont and Goose Lake Forest Reserves. In October, 1907, the district office was moved to Portland, Oregon.

The following appeared in the Field Program of Oct., 1907:

"Service Order No. 6, Sept. 20, 1907

"Ranger meetings should be held as far as possible not in towns but on the forests. Meetings in the larger towns and cities should especially be avoided.

/s/ James B. Adams
Acting Forester"

In November, 1907, Hugh M. Guthrie's name appeared in the Field Program as Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Siskiyou National Forest at Grants Pass. He was assigned to this position earlier in the year.

Again quoting from the Ashland Tidings of Ashland, Oregon:

August 29, 1907:

IMPROVEMENTS FOR ASHLAND CANYON

The Federal Forest Reserve, through M. J. Anderson, acting Forest Supervisor for this district, will install a telephone line along the road up Ashland Canyon leading to Ashland Butte, and will appropriate a sum of money to put the Canyon road in good shape, according to a letter just received by President Eggleston, of the Commercial Club, from the U. S. forest official.

As noted in the Tidings a week or so ago, President Eggleston had addressed a letter to Mr. Anderson assuring him of the cooperation of the Ashland city council in the maintenance of the road, and in other contemplated improvements, and the above is the substance of the latter's reply.

Mr. Anderson says that he will order the material for the telephone lines, as proposed by Forest Ranger Kropke, sent to Ashland. The depot is at Salt Lake and the material will be shipped at once. The writer also says that the road up Ashland creek is a county road, and that if Mr Kropke will make an estimate of the cost of labor, powder, etc., necessary to put it in good shape, he will see that it is repaired, as it is a necessity to the proper administration of the forest.

In conclusion he says he would be glad to take up any improvements that would be mutually beneficial to the city and to the Ashland Forest.

President Eggleston has appointed E. V. Carter, as a committee from the Commercial Club, to assist Mr. Kropke in making the estimate of cost asked for by Mr. Anderson.

September 30, 1907:

APPROPRIATION FOR FOREST ROAD

Word has been received from M. J. Anderson, superintendent of the forest service in this district, that the forestry department at Washington has approved the estimates for the improvement of the Ashland Canyon road, and that the money for same is available. The notification came yesterday in a letter to President Eggleston of the Commercial Club. The estimates approved include three and one-half miles of road outside the forest reserve, at $100 a mile; three and one-half miles within the Ashland National Forest, including much new road to be built, at $200 per mile; and four bridges of 40 feet each, costing about $60 each. Thus the improvements are summarized: Outside for line, $350; inside, $700, and four bridges, $240, making a total of $1290. This appropriation, in addition to the 3,000 feet of bridge planking which the county has given, will accomplish much in the improvement of the Canyon road.

October 14, 1907:

"BREVITIES"

Ranger W. G. Kropke of the Ashland National Forest, spent nearly all last week in the stone and timber region about the headwaters of the Applegate, which area was recently added to the reserve. He was working under instructions from the department to examine into the character of certain lands within the reserve upon which timber entries had been accepted prior to their withdrawal as an addition to the government reserve, and upon which proof will be submitted shortly by the applicants to purchase.

October 21, 1907:

A Forestry Convention will be concluded at Roseburg today. In attendance at this convention are the supervisors and their special forces from the Tillamook, Umpqua, Siskiyou, Coquille, Ashland, Goose Lake, Fremont and Cascade range south, national forest reserves. Besides these there are also three or four special representatives of the national forestry service from Washington, D. C., making the total attendance about forty-five men.

The following items were extracted from the newspapers at Roseburg, Oregon:

Roseburg Review, Oct. 17, 1907 (Thurs.):

Forest Supervisor S. C. Bartrum today announced that there will be a Forestry Convention held at his office in this city, opening tomorrow and continuing until next Monday. In attendance at this convention will be the supervisors, and their special forces from the Tillamook, Umpqua, Siskiyou, Coquille, Ashland, Goose Lake, Fremont, and Cascade South National Forests. Three or four from the Washington office making about 45 in attendance.

The meeting will be devoted to grazing and other business matters on the national forests.

Roseburg Review, Oct. 21, 1907 (Mon.):

FORESTRY CONVENTION IN ROSEBURG

The district convention of supervisors, rangers and guards of the national forest reserves of this part of the Coast was organized last Friday with local supervisor Bartrum as chairman and John E. Gribble of the Siskiyou-Ashland-Coquille Reserves as recording secretary. As special representatives of the Forestry Department at Washington, D. C., there are in attendance Chief J. S. Chapman, Assistant Chief W. G. Weigle, Inspector W. H. B. Kent and Inspector C. H. Adams. Today's session was given largely to the discussion of the Use Book, and addresses by the different members. The following are registered as the attending supervisors, rangers, and guards from the several divisions:

Cascade (South) — Supervisor S. C. Bartrum, Samuel S. Swenning, J. Roy Harvey, Geo. C. Cottrell, S. L. McKee, D. W. Myers, S. A. Moore, M. Thurman Cannon, G. E. Bonebrake, Vernon V. Harpham, W. J. Nichols, Leonard Hartley, Clarence W. Jackson, E. H. Mann.

Tillamook-Umpqua — Supervisor Clyde L. Siltz, Martin S. Durbin, Geo. E. Leach, Wilbur J. Stillwell, Peter S. Rice, C. H. Young.

Siskiyou-Ashland-Coquille — Supervisor M. J. Anderson, H. M. Guthrie, W. B. Milburg, J. G. Giddings, Nelson F. Macduff, H. V. Anderson, W. G. Kropke, J. A. Crislin, Jesse DeWitt, Ira Tungate, Melvin Lenois, L. D. Hammock, John E. Gribble.

Goose Lake-Fremont — Supervisor Guy M. Ingram, Gilbert D. Brown, Jason S. Elder, Jay Billings, F. B. Pettit, M. E. Musgrove, S. Leavitt, James Brady.

Ranger Convention
Roseburg, Oregon

October 18 to 21, 1907

Front row, left to right: 1. John E. Gribble (dark suit); 2. M. J. Anderson (light suit) 3. Jesse DeWitt; 4. Leonard Hammock (watch chain); 5. Mel M. Lewis; 6. Charles S. Chapman (light suit); 7. W. H. B. "Whiskey Hiball" Kent (leggings); 8. W. E. Wiegle (book in right hand); 9. James B. Adams (tallest man); 10. J. Albert Gaslin (in back and short); 11. Guy Ingram (black suit, white shirt); 12. Vern Harpham (uniform and hat); 13. Clyde Seitz (dark sweater, prominent hat); 14. Jay Billings (uniform, mustache); 15. Smith C. Bartrum (derby); 16. James Brady (uniform and hat); 17. Scott Leavitt; 18. Andy Poole (boots, mustache); 19. George M. Leach; 20. Carl H. Young (mustache). Second row, left to right: 1. Ira Tungate (derby); 2. J. Roy Harvey (flat, light hat); 3. Hugh B. Anderson (dark hat or derby); 4. Charles Lewis (light, flat hat; face partially blocked off); 5. Unknown (face partially hidden); 6. Thurman Canon (light hat); 7. Steve Moore; 8. Silas McKee (flat hat, a short man); 9. C. W. Jackson (mustache); 10. Unknown (head turned to left); 11. George Cottrel (large black hat); 12. Gilbert Brown (light flat-topped hat); 13. Frank Petit (big hat, mustache); 14. Martin S. Durbin; 15. Unknown (derby). Third row, left to right: 1. Jake Giddings (light hat tipped left); 2. William C. Kropke (dark); 3. William Milbury (mustache); 4. Douglas Ingram; 5. Wes Kelsoe (hat on back of head); 6. Hugh Guthrie (chin up); 7. Unknown (mustache); 8. Sam S. Swenning (mustache); 9. Jason Elder; 10. Unknown (mustache); 11. George Bonebrake; 12. E. H. Mann.

The Ashland Tidings carried the following story on November 28, 1907:

WHY DIDN'T ASHLAND GET IT?

"Official announcement of it has not been yet made but it is understood that the officials of the Forest Service have agreed upon Medford as the headquarters of a new supervisorial district which will have jurisdiction over Federal Forest territory taken from the southern part of the Cascade Forest on the north from Rogue River eastward to Crater Lake, a portion of the Klamath River Forest in North California, as well as the entire Ashland Forest and a part of the Siskiyou extending westward to the coast. A supervisor not yet fully agreed upon, but probably Mr. Eckerson from Washington, D. C., will be placed in charge of the new district. Medford is to be congratulated in securing such recognition in the face of natural disadvantages, for Ashland is the natural headquarters by reason of geographical situation and convenience of reaching all parts of the new district from this city. Has Ashland been asleep in this matter, or by what hocus pocus has such valuable recognition, not to say business development, been lost to the Southern Oregon metropolis?"

Again quoting from the Roseburg Review, Thursday, Dec. 26, 1907; a digest of the lengthy article follows:

"Mention was made of Hon. S. C. Bartrum, Superintendent of the Southern Oregon District. He has seven clerks, located in the upper story of the new Roseburg National Bank Building. Four offices are used with about 500 square feet of office space consisting of: a public entrance room, abstracting and drafting room, private consultation, and a blue print room. At present Bartrum has only 23 field men working under him but by next summer this force will be increased to nearly 100 men. Just recently the government made S. C. Bartrum a disbursing officer and he sent a bond to Washington today. Bartrum has a much larger force than the local land office."

GRAZING

The following excerpts are from the Grazing Report of the Cascade (South) National Forest and the Ashland National Forest, for 1907, prepared by Forest Supervisors S. C. Bartrum and M. J. Anderson, respectively:

Cascade (South)

Subdivision 16 (Upper Rogue)

Permitted: R. R. Minter 700 and T. J. Connor 150. Bartrum refers to W. J. Nichols, Assistant Forest Ranger, and George E. Bonebrake, Deputy Forest Ranger, who patrol this area.

Recommended season for 1908: C&H, June to Oct. 31
S&G, June 15 to Oct. 15

Division No. 18 (Pelican Bay Area)

Samuel S. Swenning, Forest Ranger (7/1/07)

Permitted 150 cattle, 2 horses, in 1907

Permitted 200 cattle, 10 horses, in 1908

Season June 15 to Oct. 15

Division No. 19

Permitted 50 cattle — recommends no change.

Division No. 20

Permitted 115 cattle — recommends 150 cattle.

Division No. 21

Permitted 38 cattle, 13 horses.

Recommends 240 cattle, 20 horses in 1908.

Season June 15 to Oct. 15

Division No. 22

Permitted 870 cattle - recommends no change.

Season June l to Oct. 21, & on new addition May l to Nov. 15.

Recommended numbers for 1908: 6500 cattle, 175 horses, 50,000 sheep.

Ashland National Forest

Ashland Watershed closed to grazing. Herrin & Son of Ashland, with 2,000 sheep, have occupied range for 23 years. Permitted 600 cattle, actually grazed 1,000 cattle.

Recommendations for 1908: 3,000 cattle; 2,000 sheep.

A group of Forest Guards at Roseburg (October 1907) to take the Civil Service Examination for Forest Ranger. Front row, left to right: Fred Stanley, ____, Tom Kinney, John D. Holst, ______. Second row: Steve Moore, Adelbert Myers, Wesley Kelsoe, ______. Back row: George Bonebrake, Ed Malin, George Cottrell, Ingram, Thurman Cannon, and Smith C. Bartrum, Forest Supervisor, who conducted the examination.

Cat Hill Burn seeding crew (1910). Standing, left to right: Andy Poole, George West, Bill Fruit, Martin Erickson, Ferrin. Front row: J. J. Simmerville, Frank Carlson, H. D. Nuffler.

Seven Mile Ranger Station House. Built by Delbert W. Myers, Fred Stanley, Samuel Dorran and John D. Holst in November, 1907. In picture, left to right: Robert Moore, Stephen A. Moore, Samuel S. Swenning, Martin L. Erickson. - Photo by T. T. Munger, Nov. 14, 1908

Trail Ranger Station, 1917.

(click on image for a PDF version)

(click on image for a PDF version)

1908

News items from the "Ashland Tidings:

February 27, 1908:

STOCKMEN APPORTION FOREST RANGE
Also Favor Throwing Additional Territory Into Siskiyou and Ashland Reserves

Stockmen whose ranges extend into the Ashland and Siskiyou National Forests west of here gathered at Talent Tuesday and conferred with Superintendent M. J. Anderson and Rangers W. G. Kropke and Ira Tungate over division of range for stock on these reserves during the coming season. A dozen or more cattlemen from the Applegate and Wagner creek section were present. Only one sheep grower sought range on the reserve, J. S. Herrin & Sons. Everything was harmonious between the latter and the sheep man and the Superintendent left the allotment of the range to a committee composed of A. S. Kleinhammer, Welborn Beeson and Fred Herrin. There was not a hitch as far as harmony between the stockmen was concerned and it is assured that all, including the Herrins, will get the range they have been using for years now covered by reserve, lines are to be drawn, however, and the sheep confined strictly to their own territory.

The stockmen present at the meeting represented about 2500 head of cattle and 2000 head of sheep to be ranged within the bounds of the Siskiyou and Ashland (new) Forests. When their stock is driven upon the range it will be counted by the rangers and the stockmen will pay the price per head fixed by the Forest Service for the grazing privilege.

The stockmen at their meeting Tuesday showed their approval of the Government's forest policy by declaring in favor of adding to the Ashland and Siskiyou Reserves two or three townships of territory near the state line not now included and petitions will doubtless be forwarded to the proper authorities at an early date. Townships forty, ranges one and two west, and fractional townships forty-one, ranges one, two, three and four west, is the territory not now included in reserve which the stockmen favor throwing under forest administration.

March 2, 1908:

MAZAMA NATIONAL FOREST

The new unit in the Forest service in Southern Oregon is to be known as the Mazama National Forest. It will be in charge of Mr. C. J. Buck, recently assistant supervisor at Yreka, who will be promoted to the supervisorship of the new forest division on March 15th. The Mazama Forest will include all that portion of the Cascade Forest south in Jackson county, and east to and including Crater Lake National Park; also the Ashland Forest, a portion of the Siskiyou Forest, including the Blue Ledge District; and portions of the Klamath Forest in California north of the Siskiyou mountains.